


SONCS AND SONC-LECENDS 



OF 



DAHKOTAH LAND. 



EDWARD L. FALES. 



ST. PAUL, MINN.: 

THE HIGHLAND PUBLISHING CO. 



Pioneer Press Print, 



SONGS AND SONG-LEGENDS 



OF 



Dahkotah Land, 




BY EDWARD LyPALES 



^ 




ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA: 

THE HIGHLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY. 

1882. 



75 1^^"^ 



Copyright 1882, by Edward L. Fales. 



IN FANCY BLEST. 

My spirit soars on pinions light 
Beyond the life that would confine, 

And now are all the joys of bright 
And perfect vision mine. 

I feel no more the night of pain, 

Since fortune walks no more with fate ; 

The flower of love reveals no stain. 
And hearts admit no hate. 

If life were sweet in every breath, 
What soul would long from earth to fly? 

If happiness were found in death, 
Who would not dare to die ? 

In life perfection is not found, 
While death is only perfect rest ; 

Then let me quit this gloomy bound 
And be in fancy blest ! 



SOUGS AND S0NG-LE0END8 

THE DAHKOTAH WARRIOR. 

Lightly treads the cunning warrior 

On the trail he follows true ; 
Softly sing his feathered arrows 

To the stately bucks in view ; 
Fiercely does he give them battle, 

Who would drive him from the graves 
Of his people, the Dahkotah — 

Race that brings forth braves. 

Well he knows the friendly challenge 

Of the white gull's piercing cry, 
When the foam is on the billows, 

When the threatening storm-clouds fly. 
And his birch canoe is bounding 

O'er the wild Messipi waves, 
In the land of the Dahkotah, 

In the land of braves. 

Finding beauty in the wild flowers, 

Temples in majestic trees, 
Music in the morning bird-songs, 

Voices in the changeful breeze, 
Healing in its fragrant breathing 

When his brow its coolness laves, — 
In the land of the Dahkotah, 

In the land of braves. 

Hearing in the mighty thunder 

Rumbling down the hills of cloud, 
Manitou's voice — his glance beholding 

Where the lightning's fire has ploughed ; 
Feeling him in starry midnights. 

Or in dark and echoing caves, — 
In the land of the Dahkotah, 

In the land of braves. 

Skins are plenty in his wigwam, 

Hunting grounds have known him long ; 
Scalps are countless on his lodge-pole. 

For his arm is quick and strong : 
He's a warrior in the west land, 

Where the squaws alone are slaves, — 
In the land of the Dahkotah, 

In the land of braves. 



OF DAHKOTAH LAND. 



FOND HEARTS OF THE FOREST. 

A LEGEND OP FOUNTAIN CAVE, NEAR ST. PAUL. 

The hazy gloaming gathers round, 

The silence mellows every sound, 

The gentle wind through foliage nigh 

Begins to breathe its plaintive sigh ; 

While o'er the hill creeps silver light 

Where calm and chaste the queen of night, 

Awaking from her daily trance. 

Doth charm all nature with her glance 

Her virgin train sweeps down the glade ; 

Kissing the cavern's mouth of shade 

She smiles upon the singing brook, 

With sparkles filling every nook 

That lurks about its dimpled face, 

Giving its deepest shadows grace, 

And breathing on its grassy mane 

A gloss it ne'er can hope to gain 

Beneath the sun's more kingly ray. 

Wierdly the purling waters play 

In her embrace ; then break away 

To vanish under bending boughs, 

But giving voice to gurgling vows 

Of future tryst, of love again 

Where meet the river banks and glen. 

The moonlight vaults beyond the trees 

To gain the river side, and sees 

A dusky virgin sitting there, 

Who twines her lovely raven hair 

And frequent lifts her melting eyes 

To where the flashing ripple flies 

Across the bosom of that glass 

Where dancing stars nocturnal pass. 

A princess of the wildwood she, 

And graceful as the deer that flee 

When stricken by the light winged shaft 

So deadly from the hunter's craft. 



SONGS AMD SONQ-LEQENDS 

The river sings beneath her feet ; 

It finds an echo in the sweet 

And tender thought that throbs behind 

The starry curtains of her mind. 

And when the thrills that sweep her heart 

Now from her tongue in music start, 

The wavelets beating on the strand, 

The murmuring leaves by zephyrs fanned, 

The minor rythmns that wake the bowers 

Of this fair glen when evening lowers, 

And warbling birds, melodious throng, 

All mingle with her low love song. 

Her voice is all that's wild and sweet. 

And slow must be that warrior's feet 

Who would not speed with all his heart 

To see her red lips meet and part. 

Love moves her with his golden sway — 

A young and stalwart Chippewa 

Has gained her heart, and kindred ties 

And tribal feuds her love defies. 

What cares she that her people hate 

And his give back without abate ? 

What cares she that he is not Sioux ? 

If he but keep his promise true ! 

She sings an old song, passion-laden 

By many a dead Dahkotah maiden : 

O where is my lodge — my love ? 

O where is the lord of my breast ? 
Reveal me. Great Spirit above. 

The arms where my passion may rest. 

Brave warriors are thick as the leaves 
That follow the wind in the fall ; 

Each maiden may think she receives 
The smile of the noblest of all ; 

But I know a chief who can slay 
The panther and bear with his hand, — 

As warm and as proud as the day, 
And braver than all in his band. 

In his sinewy arms I shall rest, 

And hear his voice call me "sweet dove !' 
O he is the lord of my breast ! 

With him is my lodge and my love! 



OF DAHKOTAH LAND. 

She stops ; stie turns with sudden start, 

With troubled eyes and beating heart, 

To the frowning bluffs, where warlike cries 

And sound of savage revel rise. 

The warriors of her tribe are there, 

All dancing in the firelight glare. 

Their spears with reeking scalps are clad, 

Their thoughts are blood, their brains are mad ; 

Each yelling brave now only knows 

Fierce hatred for his ancient foes. 

They boast of all their deeds of might, 

Of secret slaughter, deadly fight. 

And woe to him who comes to meet 

The lonely maid, Wenonah sweet. 

If they his paddle's dip shall hear 

Or after learn his presence near. 

When their wild revel, to her fright. 

Rose wilder with the fall of night, 

She stole away and gained this place 

To see again her lover's face. 

She gazes on the distant shore, 

But all is quiet as before. 

Again she sings, her flute-like tones 

So low that were the very stones 

On which she rests her feet possessed 

With sense to hear, what she confessed 

In tuneful cadence would be lost 

To them, for well she knows the cost 

For him who loves her, if her thought 

Be told aloud, and so there naught 

Breaks on the air but melody. 

If spoken, thus her song would be : 

My love is strong, my love is brave. 

His heart is warm and true ; 
He soon will come across the wave 

And bear me in his light canoe, 
To be his queen and slave. 

To me he bowed his eagle plume, 

He tamed his eagle eye, 
And vowed his love would life consume 

If I refused with him to fly, 
His teepee to illume. 



SOIfOS AND SONG-LEGENDS 

O come, my chief I I watch — I wait, 

I give up all for thee ; 
If thou wilt have an alien mate, 

Wenonah longs thy mate to be, 
That she may share thy fate. 

Come quickly, love, but make no sound, 

My people are thy foes. 
If thou shouldst here by them be found 

A warrior's death thy life would close. 
Thy soul be skyward bound. 

But what would poor Wenonah do 

If she were left alone ? 
She scarce would see the hand that slew 

Ere she would raise her death-chant tone. 
And with thee perish too ! 

She scans the echoing cliff once more. 

Then turns to view the farther shore. 

And bending low she strives to hear 

Some sound to tell her he is near. 

O'er all there seems to fall a hush 

As tender as her cheek's warm blush. 

Now firmly rooted to the spot — 

As though she had all things forgot— 

She looks like some wild, charm-bound elf. 

As lifeless as the moon itself. 

But no ! the parted lip and eye 

Of flashing fire such thought belie, 

And well and eloquent avow 

The soul beneath that rigid brow. 

O virgin heart ! O passion bright ! 

That fills a glance with beauty's light. 

O Wenijishid, happy thou. 

Who surely will not tarry now ! 

A moment thus — then up she springs. 

And now the song she softly sings 

Floats o'er the water from her lip 

To meet the noiseless, constant dip 

Of Wenijishid's paddle blade. 

How swift to greet the faithful maid 

He comes. She waits, 'tween joy and fear. 

While on he glides, each stroke more near. 

Love gives him more than wonted strength. 



OF DAHKOTAH LAND. 

And on the beacli he leaps at length. 

With trembling joy, with artless grace, 

She springs into his glad embrace. 

Within her brave young hero's arms 

Forgot are all her past alarms. 

One rapturous kiss with quick impress, — 

His burning hands her locks caress, — 

And then they gaze, at love's sweet will. 

Eye into eye with answering thrill. 

" Wenonah darling, since we met. 

Not once could I that smile forget 

Which told me (more than words could tell) 

The hopes that made this bosom swell 

Were fair in our Great Spirit's sight. 

He, ere another moon's swift flight, 

Shall bid me take thee to my home 

And joy in thee, no more to roam." 

Her trustful voice is low and clear, 

And sweetest music in his ear : 

'* No chief is braver, none more bold 

Than he whose neck my arms enfold. 

He dares the light the moonbeams make 

And danger courts for my poor sake. 

List ! Wenijishid, hearst thou not 

Those yells of warning ? Though this spot 

Rests now beneath a peaceful spell, 

How long it will so we cannot tell. 

Thy heart is big, and like a rock 

Will meet the blood-storm's awful shock ; 

But I am weaker — and I fear 

For thee each moment thou art here. 

Behold how now the moonlight meets 

And with a kiss each ripple greets ; 

Wenonah's heart, o'erflowed with bliss, 

Is wholly thine, and thine her kiss." 

The radiance mingled with the shade — 

The murmur low by night winds made— 

The rune, harmonious and complete. 

Of wavelets in their ceaseless beat — 

The fragrance given of sleeping flower — 

The brooding hush that fits the hour,— 

With this fair scene all these are met 

To make the scene more lovely yet. 



10 SOJSTGS AND SONG-LEOENDS 

Wenonah's kiss would all confess, 

It gives to beauty holiness ; 

The moments passing seem to be 

Endowed with all eternity, 

And in this lonely spot, love found 

Brings the whole universe in bound. 

But hark ! what sound the breezes bear 

That turns her gladness to despair ? 

Wenonah trembles like a reed, 

With hunted look she turns to plead : 

**0 Wenijishid, leave me, quick ! 

For dangers gather round thee thick. 

We are discovered, and thy death 

May hang upon each wasted breath. 

Fly for thy life ! Too late ! too late ! 

Together we must meet our fate." 

He smiles, and there with dauntless front 

Would meet the coming foemen's brunt, 

But she who will not leave his side 

Bears in her hand his warrior pride. 

And hopes of joyous life with her 

Are sweeter than the battle's stir. 

His war-whoop's taunt rings through the glen, 

While answering come the cries of ten. 

Wenonah clasps his brawny arm, 

And lest his love might come to harm 

He turns to where his birchen boat 

Seems chafing to be set afloat. 

And ere their foes have gained the strand 

The light canoe beneath his hand 

Leaps off before a foaming track. 

He flings a yell of triumph back, 

And grimly smiles as on he flies 

To hear their disappointed cries ; 

Yet lest they may too soon pursue. 

He urges on the flight anew. 

He plies the paddle with a will, 

They skim the waves,— but swifter still 

A vengeful arrow cleaves the air. 

To sink between his shoulders bare. 

The shock is cruel, and the blade 

Falls from liis hand ; his powers all fade 

Like thought, and plunging on his face, 

Deathlike he lies. Now to his place 



OF DAHKO TAH LAND. 1 1 

Wenonah springs ; with bloodless lip, 
With gleaming eye and nervous grip, 
She works the paddle with a force 
Of which but love could be the source. 
Beyond the range of bow, she flings 
The blade aside and fiercely brings 
Her wounded hero to her breast. 
Now sadly called, now wildly pressed, 
He breathes at last a feeble sigh. 
And feeling sure he will not die 
She labors strongly, full of hope 
And nerved with any fate to cope. 
She gains the shore, and stoutly bears 
Her chief through brush and wild beast lairs. 
All through the night she speeds her flight 
To where his people's fires burn bright. 
When friendly, helping hands are found, 
And she has given him to their care, 
She sinks upon the leafy ground 
Panting like a hunted hare. 
Her faithful powers have filled their task, 
Their sacred trust no more need ask, 
And now the goal is gained, they bind 
Oblivion's charm around her mind. 
* * * #= 

Young life is pliant, love will give 

A mighty motive still to live. 

And when he wakes, with deep surprise 

He meets the dark and glorious eyes 

Of dear Wenonah on him bent 

In passion's hope absorbed, content. 

* * * * 

Since this took place it is not known 
How many changing moons have flown ; 
Yet still, when Luna's rapiers bright 
Pierce through the tenuous robe of night, 
And shining on the stilly shore 
Create again the scene of yore, 
Wenonah and her lover true 
Pass over in their white canoe ; 
Their spirit forms unshadowed glide 
Across the rapid, glistening tide. 



12 SOIfGS AND SONG-LEGENDS 



ANPETUSAPA. 

A LEGEND OP ST. ANTHONY FALLS. 

'Tis autumn, and the breezes lift 

Their melancholy tones ; 

'Tis evening : through each passing rift 

The stars, like precious stones 

In lustrous beauty (clouded soon), 

Sweet incense to the sight, 

Attend their white-robed mistress moon. 

The queen of romantic night. 

Anon, as the cloud hosts fly 

Before the wind across the sky, 

The court of the queen is suddenly seen, 

With its pomp sublime and array 

Of sparkling and glittering sheen. 

More lovely than the light of day, 

More glorious than the twilight gleam 

That mingles with the sun's last beam 

Where the waves of ocean play. 

By the river's bank a wandering band 

Have reared their teepee walls, 

Here where the warriors all may stand 

And view the mighty falls. 

The ivory moon is mounting high. 

The lodge fires flicker low. 

And slumbering forms are visible by 

The embers' last faint glow. 

When lightly steps a youthful brave 

Out from the forest ways 

Into the star-roofed nave. 

Out from the shadowing trees 

(Leaves fluttering slow in the slow night breeze) 

Into the broad, revealing rays, 



OF DAHKO TALI LAND, 13 

Into the silvery glow 
Which only such sweet hours may know 
When lovely Night, though throned on high, 
Reveals her wealth of charms below. 
When dewy turf and moss banks nigh 
Are lit with radiance from the sky. 

With step as bonyant as the air 

He glides above the glistening sward ; 

The largest, whitest teepee there 

Doth seem to center his regard. 

For there his unmarked path doth end, 

And there his burning glances send 

Their passionate lightnings, wild, yet all 

Made reverent by the spot on which they fall. 

This lodge doth tower 

Above the poles on every hand 

Like some strange chieftain o'er his band. 

Why comes he at this hour ? 

Hath dark revenge a purpose here ? 

Shall bloody strife appear 

On such a scene ? Ah, no ! the power 

That spurs him hath a softer spell ; 

For here the tribe's most cherished flower. 

The daughter of the chief, doth dwell. 

He has fought with his love o'er and o'er. 

For he thinks he should glory in nothing but war ; 

But his mind is a stranger to peace 

While forcing his lips to be dumb. 

While trying his passion to quell, 

For the beat of his heart will not cease 

Its burden of gladness to tell, — 

So hither at last he hath come 

To give it a full release. 

His deep, rich voice floats down the glade. 
In soft, unwonted tones 
Like gentle winds through pine-tree cones ; 
He sings the Warrior's Serenade ; 
While at the end of every strain — 
With more effect his cause to plead — 
He plays a wild and shrill refrain 
Upon a flute of rude-cut reed. 



14 SOJSfGS AND SOJVO- LEGENDS 

Lonely warbling bird of night ! 

Leave thy bough and perch above 
The silent, dewy folds of white 

That screen my sleeping love. 
Drink the moonlight rays that fall 

Pure and mellow, like the beams 
Of starry eyes beyond my call 

Far in the land of dreams. 
Tell her I am brave and strong, 

Tell her I have loved her long ; 
Singing softly like a dove. 

Tell her all you know of love 
I cannot tell in song. 

Tell her I am waiting here 
At the threshold of her bower ; 

Winds are lifting far and near 
The sweets of every flower, 

All the stars are out in state, 
Music breathes in every stir. 

Yet all of nature seems to wait 
For a glimpse of her. 

Tell her I am brave and strong, 

Tell her I have loved her long ; 
Singing softly, like a dove. 
Tell her all you know of love 

I cannot tell in song. 

Is it the wind that swings apart 

The deerskin door from the lodge away 

Is it a sudden leap of his heart 

That makes too vivid fancy play ? 

Or is it a nut-brown arm that holds 

The trembling folds, 

And are those liquid eyes that shine 

Like diamonds fine? 

Sing on, sing on, bold youth. 

And hope shall lead thee to the truth I 

She is lovelier than the sky, 
Sweeter than the freshest bud, 

I can no longer wait and sigh 
Here in the moonlight flood ; 

All my heart is at her feet. 
All my strength at her behest ; 



OF DAHKO TAH LA ND. 15 

sing, and bid lier come to greet 
The one who loves her best ! 

Tell her I am brave and strong, 
Tell her I have loved her long ; 

Singing softly, like a dove, 

Tell her all you know of love 

1 cannot tell in song. 

His manly voice entreating calls 

As softly as the dewdrop falls. 

He ceases, and the night winds hush 

As if they too had waited long ; 

The organ -river's chanting rush 

Seems but an echo of his song.* 

And shall he wait and plead in vain ? 

Ah, no ! love is not always pain ; 

For see, the folds are drawn aside, 

And dimly there may be descried 

A shadowy form of shadowy grace, 

That halts while still in gloom arrayed, 

With eyes that light the tawny face 

And tresses darker than the shade. 

O spell of song ! O power and thrill 

Of love ! O dream that sways 

The blood of youth, that feels no chill 

Till love betrays ! 

O hark ! ye sprites that haunt this time,— 

This quiet moon-lit hour, 

When Cupid weaves in every clime, 

His web of subtlest power, — 

O, can ye hear, and not rejoice, 

The music of a maiden's voice? 

"Anpetusapa's glance would meet 

The night bird that can sing so sweet." 

With what a bounding stride he goes ! 

With what a light his dark eye glows ! 

With what a look he seeks to fire 

Those gentle eyes with his desire ! 

" O multiply what voice reveals ; 

The bird can sing not half it feels ! 

Too deep, too deep, to tell in words. 

And even too sweet for song of birds, 

Is passion like this heart of mine 

Doth feel for thine ! " 



X 



16 SOKOS AND SONG-LEGENDS 

She lightly steps into the light, 

She gently lifts her gentle eyes, 

She flies not, though her heart takes flight 

And soars without disguise. 

" I know thee ; thou art strong and tall, 

Thy fearless deeds are known to all. 

O may this eve be not more fair 

Than life to thee, is all my prayer." 

His mighty sinews, sternly trained. 

Are now with manl}^ grace restrained. 

And the fortunate touch of a fairy's wand 

Far ruder would seem than the touch of his hand ; 

And the light of his eye like a streamlet doth flow 

Where passion and tenderness mingle and flash 

On the dancing ripples, whose murmuring low 

From his lips seem to dash 

A faithful, harmonious echo : 

" Of happiness all my life will tell 

If thou in my lodge doth dwell. 

Oh ! could you but know 

The new, the glad, the tender glow 

That warms my heart, so fiercely brave 

When breasting battle's fiercest wave — 

Could you but feel it pulse and bound 

Whene'er my ear is charmed to hear 

Thy gentle tongue's melodious sound — 

Could you but see how these fond eyes 

Rejoice to look upon thy face 

When like a dream before them rise 

Thy matchless form and wondrous grace — 

How deeply, thirstily they drink 

Thy dew-bright eyes, whose flashing glance 

Doth like a luring firefly dance 

(Along an island's shadowy brink 

Where rippling waters, restless waters. 

Sing their low, unchanging song 

Upon the pebbles all night long). 

Thou art a flower whose smile has made 

A sunbeam pierce the forest shade ; 

Thou art a rose that fragrant grows 

To beautify the darksome glade 

And sweeten every breeze that blows. 

Anpetusapa ! wilt thou give 



OF DAHKOTAH LAND. 17 

The promise that shall make me live 

As I have never lived before ? 

I love thee, and the powers divine 

Shall teach thy heart to pulse with mine, 

And bless our union evermore 

While moons shall pass or starlight shine." 

The guardian bosom of her lover 

Serves well her modest blush to cover ; 

Her willowy arms about him twine 

As closely as the greenwood vine 

Doth hang upon the towering oak, 

That holds it safe from every stroke * 

And proudly shelters the delicate form 

From all the buffets of the storm. 

The moon and every heavenl}^ gem 

Now seem to shine alone for them. 

O Time ! why must thou speed away? 

For knowest thou not that present joy 

Bears no increase for such as they, 

For whom all change must bring alloy ? 

And thou, young Love ! canst thou not make 

A lonely Eden for their sake ? 

'Tis better that but two should find 

Gladness of heart and peace of mind, 

Thau all the greater sum of life — 

With burning hearts that fates unbind 

And crowding thoughts that gender strife. 

But no, the gift of life is one 

Of strangest form, of blended tints 

And crossing lines, with mingled hints 

Of glory from an unseen sun ; 

And shades that hourly darker grow 

For those who seek that sun to know ; — 

And they must take the whole or none. 

So they n\ust wake to memory 

Of other things, so they must be 

Reminded of the powers that hold 

Their future lives, to rule and mold. 

•'Anpetusapa need not name 
The glory of her father's fame ; 
He is a mighty chief, and none 
Too quickly will he choose a son." 



18 SONGS AND SONG-LEGENDS 

•• O fear not, my blossom, 

For he shall not see 
The flower of his bosom 

Mismated with me. 
Where war-whoops are sounding 

Their blood-stirring call. 
There I shall go bounding 

The foremost of all. 
When foemen shall fly me 

And chiefs call me brave, 
He will not deny me 

The boon I shall crave." 

** Yes, thou art brave for one so young ; 
This voice of mine thy feats hath sung 
When from the war-path thou returned 
On which thy first renown was earned ; 
And if my love can make thy bliss, 
My service give thee happier life, 
All hope shall dwell in one kind kiss 
For thine eternal-loving wife." 

•' O blessed promise ! future bright ! 
This feeble tongue of mine can never 
Reveal how dear thou art to-night. 
How cherished thou shalt be forever ! ' ' 

* * * * 

The powers divine did seem to bless 
The promise of his wild caress ; 
The chief approved the suitor bold. 
And for rich goods his daughter sold. 
She thought not of the trade, but went 
To her young lord with true content, 
And while she dreamed of joy to come 
Her heart was full, her lips were dumb ; 
And day b}^ day her task was wrought, 
Each hour with self-denial fraught ; 
His wants were met, his lodge was trim. 
Her patient thoughts were all for him. 
And so the happy moons flew by, 
Till new refulgence fllled her sky 
When there appeared a baby boy. 
Whose laugh o'erflowed her cup of joy ; 
For this must prove, she could but feel, 



OF DAHKO TAH LAND. 19 

A bond between them strong as steel. 

Alas, thou too confiding wife, 

What clouds were gathering o'er thy life ! 

For vanity alone will stay 

With human nature to the last ; 

Each happy day will slip away 

Into the valleys of the past. 

Returning but a ghostly thing 

When the spirit drinks at Memory's spring. 

Why did he vow to cherish ever ? 

Or why allow his heart to change ? 

What maid was she who came to sever 

Thy love and thee ? What magic strange 

Had she to work her strange endeavor ? 

What mind shall solve the mystery 

Of loves that come and loves that flee ? 

Why should Anpetusapa give 

Her heart's whole life, her richest treasure, 

To one whose boasted flame could live 

Though but a dozen moons' small measure ; 

Whose passion was for selfish pleasure ? 

Yet so it was, another came 

Her heart to cloud, her place to claim. 

Her lodge became another's nest ; 

The first wife, she was second now ; 

Neath custom's yoke compelled to bow 

And see her rival fondly pressed, 

The death gloom settled on her brow. 

Day brought no sun, the night no rest. 

The beam of sadness lit her eye, 

And memories that could never die 

Until her body, void of breath, 

Became the precious spoil of Death. 

Morn after morn beheld her still 

Slow sinking, like a mountain rill 

Whose fountain-head, once bubbling bright, 

Has dried away, and left the white 

And pulseless sand to mark where long 

Began the sparkle and the song. 

One joy alone was left to bring 

The heart-swept thrill of other days. 

When to her baby she would sing 

Her lullaby of love and praise ; 



20 SONGS AND SONG-LEGENDS 

And this, even this, renewed the thought 
Of joyous hopes that came to naught. 
Betrayed by faith, yet faithful to the last, 
She murmured not ; but patiently she passed 
Each day in kindly service, given 
As if her heart were all unriven, 
Until at length heroic strength 
Could bear no more. 

Upon the shore 
Of wild'Messipi's plunging flood, 
Where the}- were camped so long before, 
They camped again ; again their blood 
Marched to the music of its roar. 

* * * * 

'Tis morning : every bird its matin sings 
And beats the air with throbbing wings. 
The air so sweet and quick ; the glistening dew 
Hangs crystal beauty on all verdant things, — 
Each trembling drop reflecting true 
The overspread, unclouded blue ; 
While from the east the cohorts of the sun 
With dazzling spears begin to strew 
The morning vapors, damp and dun. 
Whose melting ranks are closed anew 
To vanish where the rapid waters run. 

Anpetusapa hides her woe 
Until her husband and her foe 
Have left the lodge and gone from sight. 
Then with a tearless eye and bright, 
She gazes madly round the place 
Where every comfort bears the trace 
Of wifely labor wrought with pain. 
Of woman's love that lives in vain. 
Here moccasins lay with bead-work gay ; 
Here on the wall the breezes swa}"^ 
The music-breathing flute, 
Whose lips are dry and mute. 
While she who once inspired its tone 
Now sits despairing and alone. 
The very curls of smoke that rise 
And mingle with the morning skies. 
Are tokens of the duties done 
Beneath the red eye of the rising sun. 



OF DAHKO TAH LAND, 21 

Awhile she sits in cruel thought, 
Till, with her anguish overwrought. 
She flies to him who sweetly bears 
The image of her faithless god, 
And on each infant feature wears 
The smiling hopes on which he trod. 
Convulsively she clasps her child, 
Whose love, alone left undefiled, 
Is not enough to nerve her soul 
Beneath its crushing weight of dole. 

She listens to the roaring water, 
Whose voice she heard in music grand 
When she was still the old chief's daughter 
And love such wondrous fortunes planned. 
And ruthless phantoms of the past 
Across her mind are flitting fast, 
Each with a keen, envenomed dart 
That poisons brain and tortures heart. 
With breath too quick to lift a sigh, 
With marble firmness on her brow, 
With glassy wildness in her eye, 
She seeks the river's margin now. 
She steps into a birch canoe 
Still beaded with the morning dew. 
And clasping close her mother's pride. 
She seeks the middle of the tide. 

O hark ! thou selfish one, who gave 

Embrace more treacherous than the wave : 

Does not her song that mounts the air 

Reproach thee with its grand despair ? 

Why dost thou hurry to the river ? 

Why dost thou call, why dost thou shiver, 

While she whom thou didst drive away 

Is bold amidst the chilly spray ? 

What good is all thy vain remorse ? 

Thinkst thou from jaws of death to force 

A sacrifice so lightly thrust 

Upon the altar of thy lust ? 

A host like thee could nothing urge 

To meet one tone of her sad dirge : 

My heart cannot live without loving ; 
My heart cannot give up its own ; 



22 SONOS AND SONG-LEGENDS 

No more will I linger with sorrow, 
But follow the joys that have flown ; 

With Death I will rest me to-morrow 
On a kind, dreamless bed of stone. 

I fear not the rush of the water, 
For me all its terrors are vain ; 

It cannot bring less than gladness 
For it banishes all my pain : 

I will sink with my burden of sadness 
And mix with the earth again. 

And my baby, my darling, my blossom, 
Nor falsehood nor anguish shall know ; 

Together we cleave the wild billow — 
Unfaltering together we go 

To rest on the same rock}^ pillow, 
To slumber and mingle below. 

Plunging on the sunlit stream, 
The frail canoe, with trembling leaps, 
Hurries toward the mists that gleam 
To veil the awful steeps. 
What need has she for an}^ veil ? 
Despairing eyes will never quail ! 
See, now upon the glowing crest. 
Where clouds of spray beneath her lie. 
She clasps her boy upon her breast, 
She gazes on the cloudless sky. 
And in its blue depth seems to see 
Death, robed in peaceful purity ; 
Then down into the boiling tomb 
That makes for her the happiest doom. 
How strange that peace should thus be found 
Amid such tumult-breathing sound ; 
To leap from life and light, and find 
A darkness sweeter to the mind ! 
* * * * 

Long shall the mists of morning show 
The spirit of her who long ago 
Wrapped them round her wearily — 
A victim of love and treachery. 
Long shall her mournful death-song find 
An echo in the moaning wind. 
Long shall Dahkotah legend bind 



OF BAHKO TAB LAND. 23 

That echo with the roaring falls, 

The ancient, foam-crowned, giant falls, 

Whose voice so oft hath given 

The welcome of its watery halls, 

That lead the soul, when the Great Spirit calls. 

To the hunting grounds of heaven. 

And though a child of the forest dark 

Wear}^ of life would here embark. 

As to a portal hither comes, — 

And yet who may not pass this way 

Into eternal joy and day, — 

The water hides and soon benumbs 

The sorrow, and the cadence deep 

Becomes a lullaby to hush 

The spirit to its endless sleep 

Beneath the surging rush, 

Beneath the shrouding spray, 

Where the tireless waters sweep 

To their wild, unpausing leap — 

Then ho for the South, away ! 

The flood is cold, but the heart is bold 

When the future that lives new sorrow gives ; 

And within the chamber halls 

Of the grand and solemn falls 

May be found a sleep so sweet and deep 

That its darkness never palls, 

While ages pass with silent creep. 

Time has no tooth to tear 

The heart whose pulse is dead. 

And sorrow may live in the air 

But not in the river-bed. 

I ween all peacefully there 

Is pillowed forever the head 

Of a woman whose heart was fair. 

Though her cheeks were dusky red. 



24 SOI^QS AND SONQ-LEOENDS 

THE FALLS OF ST. ANTHONY. 

Grand old stream ! 
You never rest, but constantly flow 
From the calm above to the riot below. 

A sweep to the edge, 

A leap from the ledge — 
Down, down, down you go, 
To roar mid the ragged rocks below. 

Roar, roar, roar ! 
With a mighty voice ; but its deepest tone 
Sounds to me like a giant's groan. 

You well may groan. 
The works of man, in a gold-greedy time, 
Have laid their chains on the waters sublime 

No more, no more 

As wild as before — 
Down, down, down you go. 
To roar mid the ragged rocks below. 

Chained, chained, chained. 
While the years go by ; still the saddest tone 
Of that noble voice never sinks to a moan. 



HEROES TRUE. 

Though long the list of storied brave, 

How few have lived to whom the slave 

Need render thanks ; how few who cared 

For others' wrongs ; how few who dared 

To sacrifice for others' good 

Their own good fame,— who might have stood 

High with their fellow men, yet chose 

The lonelier post, resolved to lose 

No part of liberty or right 

For selfish gains. They made their fight 

Against the world. Though few, how grand 

They seem when years have purged the land ; 

When every freedman's growing son 

May taste the fruit their valor won. 

Such men are brave men— heroes true ; 

To them all human thanks are due, 

To them the laurel crowns belong, 

And ministry of song. 



OF DAHKOTAH LAND. 25 



TWILIGHT. 



The sunset hues begin to fade away, 
The rosy cloud-tips one by one are fled, 
And billowy folds of quiet, sober gray 
Are driving from the sky all trace of red. 
The musky twilight is so calmly sped 
We scarcely know when it has taken its flight ; 
But now the clouds are parting overhead, 
Revealing wells of azure deeply bright. 
And through their vistas peep the twinkling stars of night. 



MOONLIGHT. 

The crescent moon illumes the silent west 
With all her wealth of time-tried, mellow beams, 
And in her smile night-loving eyes are blest. 
O night of beauty ! Shade or forest seems 
To frame some half-lit shows of starry dreams. 
Now let me banish thought ! For thinking mars 
The hour's enchantment ; since the light that gleams 
So pure reveals unlovely lines and scars 
Upon the patient face of her who rules the stars. 



A NIGHT SONG. 

A spirit of peace guards the river to-night 
While the winds and the waves are asleep. 

And the stars overhead throw a richly dim light 
On the grassy yet swift gliding deep, 

Making softer the shadows that fringe the dark shore, 
Making mellow the lights mirrored there. 

And returning to them— lovelier far than before- 
All the radiance they lost in the air. 

If my days ran as smooth as the river below, 

If my heart were as pure as the sky. 
Not a soul wandering forth in this night's early glow 

Would enjoy its delight more than I ; 
If the scene could but shed its contentment on me, 

Could my breast make a dwelling for peace, 
The happiest night of my life this would be. 

And the song on my lips would not cease. 



26 SONGS AND SONO-LEQENDS 

A MORNING SONG. 

Simliglit pure and free, 

Like a golden sea — 
How it breaks on m}' soul, 

With all its rich melody 
And shining billows' trembling, joyous roll. 

My l)osom quickly fills 

"With its living thrills, 
Pulsings from above — 

Fluttering like an angel's white wings, 
Breathing rapture like the voice of love. 

Gentle summer wind ! 

All the balm you find 
Softly falls on my brow — 

A wreath invisibl}^ twined. 
But radiantly informed with sunbeams now. 

Drops of early dew. 

Born of heavenly blue 
And the incense of night — 

All silently, as they grew. 
They melt away into the throbbing light. 

My bosom quickly fills 

With its living thrills, 
Pulsings from above — 

Fluttering like an angel's white wings, 
Breathing rapture like the voice of love. 



LOST OPPORTUNITIES. 

One morning, as I strolled a woodland place 

And watched the sun's bright arrows glance among 

The trees, a saucy bird in passing flung 

A zephyr from its wings into my face. 

So close it swept with all unfettered grace, 

I might have caught it ; then it would have sung 

Its sweetest songs for me, and to my tongue 

Have learned to give reply, and help to chase 

The darkest hours of life from me away. 

But no — free on its course allowed to go. 

It came no more: like many a happy thought 

Which flashes tlirough the mind its glorious ray, 

Suggesting springs of liglit, which never flow, 

For in its bird-like flight it is not caught. 



OB' DAHKO TAH LAND. 27 

TEAR AND SMILE. 

The flowers of spring are young and bright, 

And deck themselves in smiles of light. 

O stars of day, forever stay ! 

Through all the air the moisture rare 

Gathers in rain-drops for the hour 

When blossoms fair shall drink the shower. 

And droop beneath the glistening wet 

Like precious stones with sea-pearls set. 

The smiles of youth are joy's warm breath, 

And when they play the spirit saith. 

These are too gay to pass away. 

Under the lid there still lie hid 

Tear-drops waiting for the hour 

When sorrows bid them freely shower. 

Lip and dimple but dissemble 

The wrinkling care, the piteous tremble. 

When flowers must die, 'tis with a sigh 

We see their petals fall apart, 

And smiles that fade will leave a shade 

Upon the face and in the heart. 

All do not die, all do not fade ; 

When by-and-by our fears are laid. 

See new life springing everywhere. 

The tears that rise in sad young eyes 

Refine the smiles that linger there ; 

From cooling rain and transient glooming 

The flowers burst forth in fresher blooming ; 

From sorrows borne, from conquered duty, 

The smile shall leap in purer beauty. 

Tear and smile 

Are sister blessings all the while. 

And sisterly may dwell together 

As sunbeams shine on dewy heather. 



V 



With merry, tuneful pace, 
In wondrous windings whirled. 

My wayward fancies ever chase 
Each other through a dreamy world, 

Mid scenes so fair, to youth 

They seem the mirrored soul of truth. 



28 SONGS AND SONQ-LEOENDS 



THE VINE-COVERED PORCH. 
On the side where last the sunlight, 

Lingering like a dying torch, 
Tinged with red our humble cottage 

Stood the old vine- covered porch. 

All about it golden blossoms 

Filled the air with odors sweet. 
For the fragrant honeysuckle 

Clustered o'er that calm retreat. 

Hours I sat and watched the waving 
Of the vines, by soft winds stirred : 

Watched the coming and the going 
Of the fairy humming bird. 

Oft my wondering eyes have followed 

Each green tendril's upward creep ; 
Oft upon the smooth-worn doorstep 

Nature shut those eyes in sleep. 
Oft we gathered in the twilight, 

'Neath that portal's welcome shade,— 
Resting there, a happy household, 

As we watched the daylight fade. 

Sitting thus all in the gloaming, 

Azure skies so pure above 
Seemed to whisper heavenly blessing, 

Bringing with it peace and love. 

How that scene now comes to haunt me ! 

Thronging memories of the past- 
Calling back my happy boyhood- 
Bid the scalding tears flow fast. 

Far from there my steps have wandered 

Over land as broad as sea ; 
Years have gone, and with them bright hopes, 

Never to return to me. 

I have mourned, for death has taken 

One who loved me— O so well ! 
What I suffered when she left me. 

Words of mine can never tell. 



F DA HKO TAR LAND. 29 

Friends have passed and left me lonely, 

Standing like a stricken one ; 
And my heart has often faltered, 

Wishing that my life were done. 

But a new light shines about me ! 

To my dazzled soul I seem 
Straying in a path too pleasant 

To be ought except a dream. 

No, 'tis real. Another dear one 

Comes to take her sacred place ; 
Once again I find an idol 

In a woman's angel face. 

In my heart new glory dawning 

Bids the long-hugged shadows flee. 
Can it be the future bringeth 

Peace and happiness for me ? 

Shall I see them in the gloaming 

As my father did of yore : 
Household treasures who will love me. 

Grouped about my cottage door ? 

Shall I see, where I may rest me 

Watching sunset's dying torch. 
Fragrant honeysuckles climbing 

O'er a new vine-covered porch ? 

FAIRY TALES. 

I am reminded of the many hours 
Which I have passed deep in your witching lore. 
For in my boyish heart you held— before 
Your elfin queens had lost their magic powers- 
Most high and royal state ; your woodland bowers, 
Your moon-lit dances on the charm-bound floor 
Were real to me, and I did love to pore 
Enrapt o'er stories strange of golden showers 
By fairy wands on Fortune's children shed ; 
And in my innocence I sometimes dreamed 
That I might be of them. Ah ! long since fled 
My faith in things which once so natural seemed ; 
Yet still within my heart, though reason rails, 
I wish you might be true, sweet fairy tales ! 



30 S0WG8 AND SONG- LEGENDS 

THE RIVER-LAKE. 

After the cooling shower 
Soft is the twilight hour 

On the river-lake. 
Sweetly the plaintive note 
Gushes from whippoorwill's throat, 
Gently, gently we float, 

Light as a fine snowflake, 

Down the river-lake. 
The dripping oars at rest 

Their murmurous music wake, 
And ripple o'er the breast 

Of the peaceful river-lake. 

The lovely shadows fall 
Like a sin-outshutting wall 

On the river- lake, 
Charming the hour and place. 
The holiness we trace 
In Nature's quiet grace 

Makes sacred for her sake 

All on the river-lake. 
O this is purest joy ! 

This it is that makes 
Me love the wide St. Croix, 

The river-lake of lakes. 



ADIEU, LITTLE ROSEBUD. 

Adieu, Little Rosebud, adieu ! 

My only sad parting is this. 
For I leave with regret none but you. 

Come, give me one sweet little kiss : 
'Twill be long ere my lips lose the thrill. 
Tis gladness to know there is one— pure and true- 
One darling to think of me still. 

Farewell to the lips that are cold. 
Farewell to the hearts that forget ; 

My affections have lost every hold 
Save the arms of my innocent pet,— 

And now I must sever this too. 
No cruel farewell shall unloose the dear fold. 

But O, Little Rosebud -adieu : 



OF DAHKO TAH LAND. 3 1 

MY FAIR LENORE. 

The tender, brooding twilight spreads 

Above the star-reflecting lake, 
The silver beams that Hesper sheds 

Are dancing in our tremulous wake — 
And yet how light we move along ; 

While, gazing on my fair Lenore, 
I do not heed the boisterous song 

Of revelers on the shore. 

My thoughts are worship, she the shrine 

Where all my aspirations rise ; 
In vain those rival stars may shine, 

My beacon-lights are bright blue eyes. 
While ministering angels round us throng, 

And bless me with my fair Lenore, 
Why should I heed the boisterous song 

Of revelers on the shore ? 

'Tis said that o'er each love untold 

The smiles of Cupid melt in tears ; 
My bursting heart I all unfold — 

She lifts her ej^es, her joy appears, — 
And then, as if that look were wrong, 

The faltering voice of fair Lenore 
Would bid me heed the boisterous song 

Of revelers on the shore. 

Ah ! no, my sweet, this will not do, 

Not thus you'll turn me from the track, 
For all my thoughts are bound in you, — 

What eyes reveal shall lips take back ? 
True, dear, you have not known me long, 

But well I love my fair Lenore ! 
Why should I heed the boisterous song 

Of revelers on the shore ? 

For in that look of yours I irace 

A melody that heaven might hear, 
A sweet refrain of womanly grace, 

A soaring bird-song, fresh and clear ! 
If now your lips to me belong, i 

Sing love to me, my fair Lenore, 
And I'll not heed the boisterous song 

Of revelers on the shore. 



32 * SOIfGS AND SONO-LEGENDS 



MINNEHAHA. 



Dash the veil of spray 
From thy face away, 
Greet the smiling day,— 

Pretty Minnehaha. 

From thy rushing wings, 
From thy silver strings, 
Sweetest music springs,— 

Singing Minnehaha. 
Who can fail to see 
In thy careless glee 
Best philosophy,— 

Merry Minnehaha. 

Nature's daughter free. 
How I long to be 
Wild and pure like thee,— 
Happy Minnehaha. 

The snow-white butterfly 

Cannot pass thee by. 

But seeks thy mist to die,— 

Charming Minnehaha. 

When the shadows fall 
On thee like a pall, 
Still the night-bird's call 

Echoes Minnehaha. 

I fain would leave the strife 
With which this world is rife. 
Here t o pass my life 

Loving Minnehaha. 



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